How would you explain the importance of depth?

[jduncan]

Whispers are always better than roars. Well put.
She might prefer sleeping as to being awakened.
Time will tell.

I give my kindergartener lots of grace when morning comes.
I sing. I whisper. I pat. I stroke. I hug.

But only for awhile.

Then the momma lion turns on the roar.

 

[jamese]

Without depth, the world is flat... no rises, no falls, no reason to look further.

V

I love this observation...each to understand for anyone!
Thanks to V.:thumbsup

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

well,

Thank you everyone who responded. All the responses were great, even if provoked thought in someone else, I got a lot to run with.

I woke up this morning thinking about this, and now I will go to bed thinking about it.

 

[HeatherTuckey]

Depth - The best way to explain depth is quite simply to show it. Make two arrangements using all the same flower content colours etc. Then make one look flat with no depth. Then make one with depth so that the eye is pulled through the design. This is what I was saying about my other florist about her baskets. Clumpy. My old tutor used to say it you should allow the butterflies to be able to flutter through the design. Think depth think 3D that basically the difference. Its the easiest way. Ask them which design they prefered and why. If they like the one with depth this should hopefully click with them. If they prefer the other ask them why. But you will probably prefer the one with depth.

Johan... I love that!

 

[Palms]

Ok i have been thinking about this now for a bit, and the best way i could describe the need for depth would be that it helps with the form of a design from two dimensional to three dimensional. Not even read to see if anyone else has already put this so sorry if i am repeating.

Also, is recession the same as depth?

 

[Cheryal]

my thoughts.... sounds like everybody here is in to drama, just don't make it so complicated as if it were a staff versus boss thing. When I was young I dreamed of being a teacher, ended up as florist. Who knew? As it turns out one of the best things I do around here is teach. How? Not by telling. Showing is my best tool. Make up a depth arrangement. Make up a flat arrangement using the same flowers. They will figure it out. They are probably scared stiff that they won't be able to do it. You have to let them know that you believe in them and that they will GET IT, even if they have been designing the old bread and butter styles for a 100 years.. Convince them that is the fun of this business. If you keep doing the same thing over and over, it becomes a job. Being able to create something new, now that's art. Show the girls tons of pictures of gorgeous depth arrangements out of magazines. Rave about the naturalness, the moderness, the complexities, .... then challenge them to create a design off. Heck yes, even give a little prize to the overall best depth design. Gosh people, have some fun with this business... it might be all you get out of it! I have seen the most basic designer turn into a 5 star right before my very eyes... and all it took was giving them the right to try something new and the approval to make mistakes and try again. No negative remarks allowed around here. If I have to be here everyday, it had better be enjoyable.

 

[goldfish]

I want to teach the reason, not just the principal. I need to tell these girls WHY it's important, not just cause I said it was.

That's impossible, Shannon, because you are trapped in a circular logic.

That is, the proposition you are trying to prove (depth is important in floral design) already assumes that their design is no good because it lacks in depth.

... The reason why depth is important is because lack of it makes a design unappealing. Their design is unappealing because it lacks in depth. Goes back and forth, see?

So to untangle this circular logic, you can start with why you think their designs do not look good. Make a list of "defects" as you see them.

You then demonstrate how to fix each defect, and hope that they would agree these changes made the arrangement look better.

 

[sklepikova]

i guess at this point i have a more clear vision of the purpose of the depth than.... of a visual balance..... don't want to sound stupid ... but........ i guess sometimes, depending on the meaning of a design, it's sort of something i don't want to see...... and i do think that visually unbalanced design contains more tension, and usually the gesture is much stronger....

 

[Tuberose]

You can also list all the basics of good floral design, depth, color, movement, etc. and ask them to show you those elements in their design. If they can't show you depth, ask them how they can add it or change it to reflect depth. They need to use your list of design elements as a check list before their design leaves the design bench.

Worked with a gal that refused to learn good design principles, she already knew it all, so good luck.

Trish

 

[TGDragonfly]

Hi,
Can I share my two cents? Your bouquets are your paycheck. Your store has a brand. I would suggest that you have a talk with the owner. I can't tell you how many shops have this problem, (a gap between the owner and product leaving the dock). Discuss what is the look of your product, be prepared for the answer. If it is a flat design, make it the best flat design ever. If your clients are asking for more style, introduce it, but make it a style that every designer knows how to do. Teaching florists in a backroom atmosphere is challenging.
Like my business, my employees are very seasoned designers from all over the industry. I leave NO ROOM for interpretation. I make prototypes of all our event work that needs to be done. And it's my job to MAKE SURE that the mechanics are done the way I have instructed.
It's not a easy spot to be in, I have had to learn to be diplomatic, and keep my temper calm. I have learned that this business is a seduction at all levels. If you show passion in your art craft, others will want it too.
Good luck, and breath.

 

[Twila]

When I am training someone about design, they have usually done lots of watching before I have them start. You are in a bit different situation. However...this is what I do (we all have our own ways that work). I let them begin the design....

As soon as I see problems I step in to correct. I make suggestions: "try shortening that stem of daisies and put it down lower in the center of that design", "lets try opening up the boka by bringing this flower out away from the others-it will make it larger", "how about using a deeper color flower there", and so forth.

At each step, I have them take a step back and see the difference in what they have created. Before we go on, I always ask "do you see the difference and do you understand?". If they don't see it, then I do a bit more teaching. It works for me. Like I said, we all have different styles of teaching as well as learning.

 

[RWK]

Shannon - Have Amy or yourself go and buy a POLAROID Camera ( One that gives you instant prints ) or a digital camera and printer set-up so you can print the photos then and there.

Take pictures of the arrangements lacking depth. PRINT out those pictures. Use them as visual aids.

The camera sees in two dimension.....the camera cannot see depth. They and you should readily see all the mistakes inherent in the designs.

I will also PM you with some more information tommorrow.